Budget
Getting there: One-way rates start from $94 with a two-week advance purchase; from $119 with a one-week notice; valid on USAirways via Charlotte.
Stay: Golden Sands on Carolina Beach features an outdoor deck pool and an indoor pool with a built-in Jacuzzi. A tiki bar sits on the hotel's pier. Weekend nights in March are from $109 per night; $139 in April (excluding Easter weekend). Kitchenettes and larger, family-friendly rooms are $10 more per night; 1211 S. Lake Park Blvd., 1-888-458-8334, www.goldensandscarolinabeach.com.
Eat: Jack Mackerel's Island Grill (113 K Ave.) is just one of four affordable Kure Beach restaurants located within a block of each other. Other choices include the Old Pier House Restaurant (101 K Ave.); Big Daddy's, a seafood emporium (206 K Ave.) and Freddie's Oceanside Grill, voted Best Dinner Restaurant on Pleasure Island (111 K. Ave., www.freddieskurebeach.com).
Experience: Fort Fisher (15 miles south of Wilmington and just south of Kure Beach) is home to the North Carolina Aquarium, showcasing marine life in the Cape Fear River basin and nearby beaches, estuaries and the Atlantic Ocean. Kids love the 230,000-gallon saltwater shark tank and spotting Luna, a rare albino alligator in the half-acre Cape Fear Conservatory. Adults $8; $6 children 3-12; 900 Loggerhead Rd., 1-800-832-3474, www.ncaquariums.com.
Moderate
Getting there: One-way, walk-up rates start from $179 (United connecting service via Charlotte, N.C.)
Stay: The Courtyard by Marriott's "Romance" package, valid through March 24 ($159-$219; promo code ROM), includes a spa king room with a private Jacuzzi; strawberries and champagne; breakfast; WiFi and late check-out. Newly renovated rooms have private balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and scenic Carolina Beach. Walk to the marina, boardwalk, Carolina Beach Lake Park or chill at the indoor or outdoor pools. A convenient location to Wilmington, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach; 100 Charlotte Ave., 910-458-2030, www.courtyardcarolinabeach.com.
Eat: Circa 1922 has it all -- sangria, tapas, paella, risotto, sushi, sashimi and seafood to steaks. Enjoy $3 tapas plates and $5 bar menu items every day from 5-7 p.m. A la carte menu items are $6-$18 and three-course prix fixe dinners, Sunday-Thursday, are $19.95; 8 N. Front St., Wilmington, 910-762-1922, www.circa1922.com.
Experience: A visit to the Battleship North Carolina is a must for history buffs. Commissioned in 1941, the ship was a major World War II player with 15 battle stars earned in the Pacific arena. Take a self-guided tour of this memorial (allow two hours or more) daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; $12 adults; $6 children age 6-11; 1 Battleship Rd., Wilmington, 910-251-5797, www.battleshipnc.com.
Splurge
Getting there: Nonstop Delta regional jet service is priced from $415 round-trip with a 21-day advance notice; from $550 with a one-week notice.
Stay: One of Wilmington's earliest residences, designed by one of the nation's first great professional architects, is the Greek Revival-style de Rosset House. Now a hotel with six posh suites, the home overlooks Cape Fear River and is home to the City Club at de Rosset, a private dining club for guests (closed Sunday, Monday; open Saturday for dinner). Weekend suite rates range from $195 to $255 for the "signature" Cupola Suite with 360-degree views over city rooftops; 101 S. 2nd St., 1-800-525-0909, www.thewilmingtonian.com.
Eat: The classy Boca Bay Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar features indoor and outdoor dining and a lively bar at Happy Hour and through to late-night jazz hours. Sushi items are $9.50-$12.95 and entrees from $15.50-$27.50; 2025 Eastwood Rd., Wilmington, 910-256-1887, www.bocabayrestaurant.com.
Experience: Dinner cruises aboard the Henrietta III begin on Saturday evenings in April (6:30-9:30 p.m.). A night out on this sternwheel riverboat includes a Captain's Buffet and dancing; $49 per adult; $35 per child age 2-12. In historic Wilmington, 1-800-676-0162, www.cfrboats.com.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant. Look for her daily deals on ajc.com/travel.
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